Pinellas County, Florida -- Pinellas County Animal Services hopes to make the holidays a little brighter for dogs and cats in need of a good home this season by hosting a special Home for the Holidays campaign.

“The idea is to find a home for all of our shelter animals during the holidays, either through adoption or fostering,” said to Maureen Freaney, director of Pinellas County Animal Services. “It’s such a special time of year that we would like to know that the dogs that we care for are enjoying the holidays, too.”

As an added benefit, the volunteers who normally work on holidays to walk the dogs and perform other necessary tasks can enjoy some uninterrupted holiday time with their families as well. Employees who work during the holiday will be able to do some deep cleaning of the adoption kennels.

Anyone who has been thinking about adopting a dog or cat can visit the shelter to see the adoptable pets. The adoption center is open every day until 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In addition, Candy Canes and Canines will be held on Sunday, Dec. 22, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Brown Boxer Pub and Grille at 26111 US 19 N., Clearwater. Tickets are $10 and kids 12 and under are free. There will be live bands, beer garden, barbeque, root beer floats, face painting, pet adoptions and more. All proceeds will go to Pinellas County’s Animal Welfare Trust Fund.

Animal Services also has a thriving pet foster program, with many pet lovers in the community who have already received the training necessary to participate. These foster pet parents are being asked to consider fostering a shelter pet to give them the gift of a home for the holidays.

Anyone who is interested in adopting or who has been trained and is interested in fostering can call (727) 582-2600.

Though adoptions are being encouraged, they are not recommended for everyone and without consideration, Freaney warns. Adoption parents should be committed to offering a new furry family member a forever home. Animals are also not good gift ideas and those who would like to offer someone a new pet can purchase a gift certificate from Animal Services. This allows the future pet owner to make an informed decision and find the perfect match.

Pinellas County Animal Services is located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Normal hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the adoption center closing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and services include adoptions. Rabies vaccinations are administered on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. The facility is closed all Pinellas County holidays.